Pack Attack

I work in travel, and I am always being asked what to pack, how to pack, what to pack it in... you get the point. I also get asked this by my friends when I travel with them, and they marvel at my "light traveller" skills.

Well I've just packed my backpack (I go to India TOMORROW, eeee!) and I thought I'd share my packing tale, because in doing so I can postpone having to start on my hand luggage I'm nice like that. I don't like packing, but I do have it down to a fine art.

For long trips where I'll be moving around, I always use my trusty backpack. If I'm staying in one location for the whole trip then my holdall on wheels does the job, but I do love my backpack - his name is Maguire, we've been together since 2002 and he is covered in patches from places I've been.

Maguire is a "top loader" backpack, because he's old. This basically means you can't open it up like a suitcase to neatly arrange your things, which can be a pain in the arse annoying. So, to get around this, I use plastic bags (sturdy ones, not supermarket jobbies) to keep my clothes folded neatly, and pack them horizontally, one on top of another. I have one bag for tops, one bag for bottoms. Down the sides of the plastic bags squeeze some other essentials (see picture for more details!), my bath bag goes on top of these, then I use my beach bag to put in all my underwear, my bikini and sarong, and beach towel. This goes on top of everything. Shoes in the bottom, and the side pockets are free for any last minute additions or more importantly, souvenirs as I go along!

All lined up on the bed and ready to pack...

Above you'll see my beach bag and my tops and bottoms carriers! There's also my travel towel (space saving, quick drying genius), my bath bag, make-up bag (only a few bits, for nights out - I prefer natural in the day!), first-aid kit, plug adapter bag, sanitary towels (I take my preferred brand as it isn't always easy to pick them up when away), tissues, a canvas bag for storing laundry, and shoes (espadrilles, nice sandals, day sandals, plastic beach/shower shoes - I'll wear my heaviest, comfy walking shoes on the plane)

I'm not going to go into minute detail about what's in my bath bag, or how many t-shirts I've taken, but I will list my few essential items...

Floaty trousers for keeping cool and covering up when visiting temples etc
A scarf to cover my head at religious sites/when it's too hot!
High concentration deet bug spray
Factor 50 sun cream (not easy to pick up overseas)
Re-hydration sachets

You'll notice that I haven't packed a hairdryer, or straighteners. I did used to be one of those people, but I learned it's much easier just to wash, plait and go! But hey, I'm not judging... if you want to take them, squeeze 'em in! I also don't pack any jewelery - I'll wear stud earrings and a "wear with anything" necklace on the plane, and then pick up irresistible local pieces as I go along.

All packed up and ready to go!

On a final note, don't shoot me for the plastic bags. I too have been woken at 5am by "bag rustlers" in hostel dorms, rustling their bags for what seems like hours. I do NOT do this - any rustling is done before lights out, and the sturdy nature of the bags means they're quieter. Oh, and I did try canvas bags, but they don't slide down into the backpack as nicely. Sue me ;)

Short trips rule, ok

So I'm off to India on Thursday, yay! I'm very excited and now that the packing, printing off reservation confirmations, getting waxed to within an inch of my life and all that has started, it feels much more real.

I'm going for 10 days. We're packing in Delhi, Agra and 2 locations in Goa and it's going to be awesome, I'm sure. Buuuut... man, is it annoying when people ask how long I'm going for and then go, "oh, is that all?" when I say ten days. I'm not stupid, I know ten days isn't a long time, and it would be fab if I could go for longer. However, I have a full time job, and a boyfriend, and rent to pay. So it's ten days or no days, and I know which one I'd prefer!

Short trips are great. Because you know you're only going to be away for a limited time, you make the most of everything and pack in as much as you can. Yeah it's tiring, but it's fun! I did a 3 month trip to Australia at 18, and because those 3 months stretched ahead of me and felt like ages, I spent quite a few days bumming around, not really getting as much out of the trip as I could have. Don't get me wrong, I loved that trip, but had it been a shorter stay I think the feeling of urgency would have meant I'd have made sure I did all of the things I wanted to. There's no, "I can do that another time" when you've got a flight to catch in a week!

If people have longer to spare for their trips then good for them. I love travel and if I could afford the time and money then I would do more. This way works for me right now though, and I don't like people passing judgement on me for it. Staying away long term doesn't make you a better traveller, it just makes you a different one. Difference makes the world go round.

So, I can't wait for my ten day tour of India! Every single day is going to be fantastic, and I am determined to make the most of it and bring back lots of great stories and photos to share. Whistle-stop rules!

My short trip to Rome in July was fab. Throw a penny in the Trevi Fountain and it means you''ll return. So a short stay was fine this first time!